Children who are exposed to negative parenting – including abuse, neglect but also overprotection – are more likely to experience childhood bullying by their peers, according to a meta-analysis of 70 studies of more than 200,000 children.

It found that negative or harsh parenting was linked to a moderate increase in the risk of being a ‘bully-victim’ and a small increase in the risk of being a victim of bullying. In contrast, warm but firm parenting reduced the risk of being bullied by peers.

The study authors, Professor Dieter Wolke, Dr Suzet Lereya and Dr Muthanna Samara, called for anti-bullying intervention programmes to extend their focus beyond schools to focus on positive parenting within families and to start before children enter school.

Professor Wolke said: “The long shadow of bullying falls well beyond the school playground – it has lasting and profound effects into adulthood.

“We know that victims and bully-victims are more likely to develop physical health problems, suffer from anxiety and depression and are also at increased risk of self-harm and suicide.

“It is vital we understand more about the factors linked to bullying in order to reduce the burden it places on the affected children and society.

“People often assume bullying is a problem for schools alone but it’s clear from this study that parents also have a very important role to play.

“We should therefore target intervention programmes not just in schools but also in families to encourage positive parenting practices such as warmth, affection, communication and support.”

The study categorised behaviours such as abuse/neglect, maladaptive parenting and overprotection as negative parenting behaviour.

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Professor Dieter Wolke can be contacted on +44 (0) 2476 523537 or d.wolke@warwick.ac.uk

University of Warwick press officer Anna Blackaby is available on +44 (0)2476 575910 or +44 (0)7785 433155 or a dot blackaby at warwick dot ac dot uk